OB/Gyn FREE Class

Lesson 7: Breast Self Exam

Class Instructor: Dorrie Lane

Let's start off by looking at and defining the breast area
Your 1st line of defense and knowledge is looking at your breast and becoming familiar with the changes they go through during the month, year and our lifetime.

Brest Most of us consider our breasts to be what fills the cup of a bra. However, breast tissue and their associated diseases are found in more than just this area. Breast tissue begins at the base of your clavicle (the bone at the base of your neck) all the way over to your armpit and down to your bra line. In addition to breast tissue are lymph nodes, which you will also want to check.

So let's begin by looking at the outside. First is the areola the dark circle of skin that surrounds your nipple. Hair commonly grows around the areola. The nipple is the outlet for ducts carrying milk during breast feeding. The bra line is the fold of skin beneath your breast. Many women can have extra nipples as well, along a "milk line" which runs in a V from under our arms, over our nipples down to our pubic bone. These are commonly mistaken for moles or beauty marks. They can have breast tissue and respond to our menses, lactation, have cysts just like our regular breasts.

Brest Now mouse over the image and look what is underneath! This is what you feel. The lymph nodes start here -- going up to your underarms and extending out towards your arm. Fatty tissue comprises much of the upper portion of your breast and is soft. The mammary glands radiate from your areola they can feel lumpy. The ducts are tube shaped and recent researh is showing promise for early detection of breast cancer. At the bottom portion of your breast mixed in with the fatty tissue is fibrous tissue which is what makes for firm, perky breasts.

Now you understand why getting to know your breasts is so important. I hope this takes some of the mystery out of self exams. With monthly self exams, you'll become familiar with your breasts. And remember, breasts change, each month, during pregnancy, with age and at menopause.

Breast Conditions
Most breast conditions are non cancerous. But you still need to see your doctor to get evaluated. All women are at risk for breast cancer and as you age the risk gets higher. Here are four common, non cancerous conditions. That send women to their doctors.


Nipple Discharge. If you experience tiny amounts of clear, greenish or milky discharge, you are normal. If it is pinkish, it can be a benign growth in a duct (pictured above) near the nipple. If a discharge is bloody or happens without sqeezing your nipple get it checked.	Breast Infection. One of the most common types is mastitis, and inflammation of the mammary glands during breastfeeding. Symptoms include skin redness, warmth and pain.

Benign Breast Lumps. They come in all shapes and sizes. Fluid-filled lumps (cysts) are a common result of fibrocystic condition. Cysts often feel smooth, soft or firm and tender. A lump made of fibrous and gandular tissue (a fibroadenoma) usually feels smooth, firm and rubbery, and is painless and movable.	Fibrocystic Condition. often painful thickening in the breast is commonly the result of fibrocystic condition. This benign condition is not totally understood, but may be related to hormones and/or diet. A solid or fluid filled lump may also form and become larger and more tender right before your period.

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